Collaborations

We develop partnerships that harness our mutual strengths.

We worked with students at John Marshall High School in Rochester, Minnesota to create their own storytelling project entitled “Youth of John Marshall.” Students interviewed other students at their school and took their photos. The curriculum included social competence skills such as active listening, giving positive encouragement, and working collaboratively. The final project will be exhibited at Rochester Art Center in May 2019. Funded by the Mayo Clinic Community Contributions Program and the Rochester Public School Foundation.

SAFE MN provides mentorship to young black men in the Twin Cities that helps them become contributing members of their communities. We spoke to Executive Director Alfonzo about why he is passionate about his work, mentors about why they got involved, and a mentee’s mother about why she wanted her son to be part of the program. This series allowed us to shine a spotlight on the important work they are doing in the community.

We joined forces with the James E. Ballentine Uptown VFW to commemorate Veteran’s Day 2018 with stories of members who are combat veterans. Sam and Shayne spoke honestly about their struggles with PTSD and why continuing to serve at home is so important to them. By sharing their stories, we were able to help viewers better understand some of the issues facing veterans when they return home, as well as highlight the important work of this 100+ years-old veterans’ service organization.

Metro Meals on Wheels delivers meals to more than 6,800 seniors and people with disabilities. They enlisted HOM to help tell the stories of meal recipients, including a woman who grew up picking cotton in the rural South, a Ukrainian immigrant who left his country to escape anti-Semitism, a woman recovering from cancer, and a couple with developmental disabilities who value their independence. By doing so, we were able to demonstrate how MOW provides not only nourishment, but also social connection.